Seems every time gas goes up for whatever reason it never seems to go down to where it was before the spike in price. With that in mind and the probability that the prices haven't hit their top yet how soon do some of you think econo cars will be the norm again as far as new cars go?
I myself can't really see as many Mustangs, GTO's or chargers being sold in the 2006 model year as compared to 2005 with the price of oil and its demand being so uncertain right now and surely for a couple of months to come, if not longer. I'm sure this won't bode well for new cars that are still in developmental stages that were soon to be released as well.
The possibilty Camaro making a return in 2007 or 2008 will diminish for sure and what of the 2007 Mustang Shelby Cobra. Development has already started on it and the prototypes are out there, but is it doomed to get the ax?
Let's not forget the Feds either..... Will the increase in the price of oil tempt the government to change the Gas guzzler tax laws so that they are stricter and encompass more vehicles?
The one silver lining I can see in this is hopefully somebody near me gets sick of these prices and wishes to sell their 2003-4 Mustang Cobra for a really good price.......Problem is I wouldn't enjoy driving it myself.......
Depending on how long the price stays up it could be like the mid 70's again with everyone switching to lil econo boxes. People making a face at a gas guzzler. Back then most people couldn't give away their used muscle car. One good thing that I hope happens is people quit driving those bigger than a house SUV's.
I don't think charger sales will really hurt because of the gas thing. With half of the cylinders shutting down when cruising, it can get decent mileage. The others may hurt a little though.
But hey, if it's going to be like the 70's again and people are giving away their 05 Mustang's, I'll c00ch one because if it is like it was in the 70's gas will eventually get cheap again. Then by 2012, I can be one of those people everyone hates because I got a performance car at an el cheapo price that's in mint condition with like no miles. :giggle:
Nah I don't think this is the end of an era or anything like that. This is just a short term supply crunch because of a hurricane. It's not an embargo like what happened in the 70's. Things will be back to mostly normal by the end of the year, IMO.
Yea keep telling yourself there going to go back to 2.20 a gallon.
Muscle cars will never die, just adapt!
Gas, like everything else, is a supply and demand market.
The Gulf of Mexico is a large importing area for our oil supply, now it is a disaster area. The storm has effected the production of at least 1,000,000 barrels of oil (estimated a few days after the storm hit). Less supply and more demand results in higher prices, simple economy.
It is about time that we were given another wake up call. We depend too much on oil, and it is almost like we do not care. I want to be cool, give me an SUV that gets 7mpg because all the rappers have it!!! Forget the fact that it costs over 50,000 and actually costs more energy to make (more parts made with limited resource fuel, heavier to ship by 18 wheeler, blah blah blah).
The price will drop for one simple reason, fuel consumption will decrease. Less fuel sales = less profit. Lower the cost of fuel and sales will increase. Eventually supply will be greater than demand, until then stop complaining about the costs and do things to reduce your consumption:
-properly inflate tires
-return ignition timing to factory specs (10* V8)
-drive the speed limit
-accelerate more slowly
Now, who's up for complaining about construction material prices!!!
the amazing thing...i believe Brian and I had this discussion, people will cut back on things; groceries, cheaper cigarettes, off brand foods/snacks, less snacks, drinking water, and all kinds of like that, but no one wants to get rid of their SUV's
whats REALLY going to suck, heating oil is going to hurt his year
One thing to keep in mind is that today's "muscle cars" get a whole lot better mileage than the ones of yesteryear. When the 70's gas crunch rolled around, most muscle cars were running high compression big blocks, with big cams and big carbs, that got less than 10 mpg. Now most of the V8 powered cars can manage the mid 20's on the highway.
What I find ironic is that right now GM is really pushing their trucks and SUV's because they're trying to turn a profit. I think the EPA standards for SUV's need to be changed big time. I read in a magazine that the Hummer H2 is listed as a "commercial" vehicle under the EPA classifications so it's exempt from fuel economy regulations. That's gotta be one of the biggest loads of bullshiznit I've ever heard :bs:
The PT cruiser is classified as a truck so it doesn't have to meet car standards. So is the Magnum wagon and all minivans and car-based SUV's. Since more people are buying these kinds of vehicles the EPA needs to close those loopholes. CAFE doesn't do much good if everyone finds loopholes to get around it...
Here's one way to close the loophole: Anything designed to carry more than three passengers is a passenger vehicle (with the exception of buses, of course). Regardless of the chassis it's built on, the GVWR or the amount of interior space, if it's got four seat belts or more it's a car. This includes extended cab pickups. 99% of them on the road are used as cars anyway, so make them meet the same standards that cars have to.
Hey, we :canada: tried selling you :america: our wood at a real good price, but your Lumber Barons :flip: started crying that the lower price was damaging their industry and insisted that we pay some outrageous duties. :bs:
I didn't think wood was the problem (hell we got plenty of it here in the states), more that it was steel, aluminum and concrete. I know that the price of s steel has gone up enough that it can actually be worth it to s an old car rather than trying to sell it.
sheetrock and 2x4's doubled in price here...